Concrete delivery chute attachment

ABSTRACT

An attachment for the discharge end of the conventional delivery chute of a concrete mixer truck, affording a flexible tube extension thereof for directing concrete accurately and without appreciable spatter to desired locations about a substantial radius of action.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,746,140 Schiffelbein [4 July 17, 1973 I 1CONCRETE DELIVERY CHUTE 2,050,774 8/1936 Wilcox 193 4 ATTACHMENT RichardA. Schiffelbein, 3727 SE. 21st St., Topeka, Kans. 66605 Filed: Mar. 31,1972 Appl. No.: 240,009

Inventor:

US. Cl. 193/5, 222/527 Int. Cl. B65g 11/00 Field of Search 193/5, 4, 25R;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/l9l7 McWhortor 222/527 PrimaryExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Robert E.Breidenthal [57] ABSTRACT An attachment for the discharge end of theconventional delivery chute of a concrete mixer truck, affording aflexible tube extension thereof for directing concrete accurately andwithout appreciable spatter to desired locations about a substantialradius of action.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CONCRETE DELIVERY CHUTE ATTACHMENT Thepresent invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatusfor handling concrete, and more specifically pertains to the attachingfeatures of and other details of an attachment for the discharge end ofa conventional delivery chute of a concrete mixer truck, such attachmentincluding a flexible tubular member for directing concrete into anydesired position below and within a considerable horizontal radius ofthe discharge end of the chute.

The invention has to do with equipment for dispensing freshly mixedconcrete, especially such as discharged by a concrete mixer truck.Exemplary of prior art proposals are U. S. Pat. No. 3,249,192 forFlexible Dispensing Chute Attachment which issued May 3, 1966 to D. E.Bushkirk and U. S. Pat. No. 3,150,753 for Tubing For Conveying FreshlyMixed Concrete which issued Sept. 29, 1964 to F. Ivanyi.

The paramount objective of the invention is to provide a flexibledispensing tube tugether with simple and rugged means free of movingparts that enables swift and sure coupling and decoupling of the tube tothe discharge end of a conventional discharge chute, whereby concretecan freely pass from the chute into and gravitationally through the tubeto any selected position below and within a substantial horizontalradius of the discharge end of the chute.

An important aspect of the invention involves a concrete distributingattachment for use with a concrete mixer truck delivery chute of thetype having a pair of upstanding ears at its opposite sides at itsdischarge end, said attachment comprising a hollow body having aforwardly facing inlet opening adapted to receive loosely therein arearwardly facing discharge end of a delivery chute, said body beingprovided with limit means therein adapted to be engaged by the dischargeend of a delivery chute for limiting the entry of the latter into thebody, said body being provided with suspension means adjacent and abovesaid inlet opening for engaging the ears of a concrete delivery chutefor pivotally supporting the body, said body having a discharge openingdisposed rearwardly of the inlet opening, and an elongated flexibledistributing tube secured to the body about the discharge opening, thearrangement being such that the body can be hung upon the ears of thedischarge chute so as to gravitationally swing into a position that thelatter extends into the body through the inlet opening to an extentlimited by the limit means, whereupon concrete can be discharged fromthe chute into the body, with the discharge of concrete from the bodybeing directable through the flexible tube.

Another important aspect of the invention involves a concrete mixertruck of the type having, during discharging operations, a downwardlyinclined concrete delivery chute having a lower discharge end, and apair of upstanding ears on opposite sides of the chute at its dischargeend, the combination therewith of a hollow, funnel-like body having arelatively large open and forwardly facing inlet end. receiving thereinthe discharge end of the chute, said body having an open frameworkadjacent said inlet opening through which the upstanding ears project sothat the body is pivotally supported on the chute in a manner such thatthe body gravitationally swings forwardly, coacting means carried by thechute and the body for limiting said gravitational swinging movement,and an elongated flexible tube detachably secured to the body about saiddischarge end thereof.

The invention will be best understood in the light of the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the same, such descriptionbeing given in conjunction with the accompanying drawing illustrativethereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a concrete mixer truck with the attachment ofthe invention applied to the discharge end of the delivery chute fordirecting concrete into a set .of forms;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the attachment andthe delivery chute;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken upon the plane ofsection line 2-2 in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the attachment illustratingparticularly the inlet of the latter.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the various views, the reference numeral 10designates generally a conventional concrete mixer truck that includesrear ground support and drive wheels 12, axle housing and differentialdrive means 14, frame 16, rotatable mixing hopper 18, dispensing hopper20 and discharge chute The discharge chute 22 is made of steel and is ofentirely conventional character, the same being movably mounted on thetruck and actuable in its movements by conventional means not shown soto be adjustable in azimuth (the direction in which it extends) and inits degree of vertical slope. The conventional chute 22 also includestelescoping sections (not shown), whereby the length of the chute can beadjusted. .As will be well known to those familiar with cement mixertrucks, the chute 22 is retractable and collapsible (by means not shown)to a compact transit condition.

The structure thus far described is entirely conventional and does notin and of itself constitute the pres-- ent invention. Sufl'ice for thepurposes of the present invention that the chute 22 be downwardlyinclined and trough-like or of a U-shaped transverse section, and thatthe opposite sides 24 and 26 of the chute 22 be provided with upstandingcars 28 and 30.

Conventional discharge or delivery chutes 22 normally include upstandingears at their opposite sides at their discharge ends, and if not, mustbe provided with such as by attaching such structure by welding or thelike so that the attachment of the present invention can be used.

The distributing attachment of this invention is designated generally at40 and comprises a hollow, funnellike body 42 that is provided, adjacentits forward or inlet end 44, with means 46 for pivotally suspending theattachment 40 from the trough 22 for receiving from the latter thereintofreshly mixed concrete 48. The attachment 40 also comprises a flexibletube 50 that is detachably secured to the body 42 at the outlet ordischarge end 52 of the latter by means indicated at 54.

The hollow body 42 is made of steel an includes an open front or inletend 44 that is partially defined by a generally U-shpaed wall portion 60that includes upstanding side portions 62 and 64 joined by a bottomportion 66. The U-shaped portion 60 is of a configuration somewhatsimilar to the chute 22 and is of a size that is considerably largerthan transverse dimensions of the chute 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings so that the chute 22 can be quite loosely received in theopen inlet end 44 of the body 42, it being noted that the bottom wallportion 66 of the body 42 projects forwardly sufficiently so as tounderlie the trough 22 in substantial overlapping relationship. Thearrangement is such that concrete 48 gravitationally flowing from thedischarge end 70 of the chute will enter the hollow interior 72 of thebody or housing 42 for gravitational flow rearwardly through the body 42toward and through the discharge or outlet end 52 of the body.

The means 46 comprises an open framework fixed to the body, suchframework being in the form of a pair of U-shaped steel rods 76 and 78having their legs welded to the body 42 adjacent the junctures of thewall portions 62 and 64 with the top wall 80 of the body 42. The rods 76and 78 are arranged to project their web or bight portions, respectively82 and 84, forwardly. The web 84 is spaced forwardly of the web 82 so asto define a rectangular space or opening 86 therebetween. Preferably thewebs 82 and 84 are reinforced by a short rod 88 extending between andwelded thereto.

The dimensions of the U-shaped rods 76 and 78 and the opening 86 definedthereby are such that the upstanding ears 28 and 30 can be receivedupwardly through the opening 78 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The extent ofsuch upward extension of the cars 28 and 30 through the opening 86 isnormally limited by out- .wardly extending pins 90 normally carried byconventional troughs 22 and in any event is limited by engagement of theweb 84 with the upper edges 92 of the trough 22. Preferably thelongitudinal extent of the opening 86 (which is transverse or normalrelative to the plane of symmetry of the body 42 that is evident oninspection of the drawings) is only slightly greater than that necessaryto accommodate the ears 28 and 30 with free working clearancetherebetween. This is also true as to the transverse size of the opening86.

The framework or means 46 constitutes in effect a hook releasablyengageable over the cars 28 and 30 to pivotally support the body 42,with such engagement being effected with the rear end of the bodyrelatively elevated. After such engagement is effected the body can beallowed to-swing gravitationally about a transverse horizontal axisroughly defined by the ears 28 and 30 so that the body 42 movesclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3, whereupon the wall portion 66 moves belowthe chute 22 to a limiting position shown in FIG. 3. A vertical rod 96is centrally welded within the body 42 as shown for the purpose oflimiting the described swinging movement by limiting the extent that thechute 22 can extend into the body 42 by the chute 22 engaging the rod96.

Thus the attachment 40 can be readily placed in position for coactionwith the chute 22 for the delivery of Disengagement of the attachment 40is obviously and easily effected by reversing the attaching sequence.

The rear end 52 of the body 42 is formed as a cylindrical extension ofrelatively short extent, and the elongated flexible tube 50 has one end102 disposed to encircle such cylindrical portion 100. The tube 50 isdetachably retained about the cylindrical portion by the means 54, andthe latter can be of any conventional and suitable character. Exemplaryof a suitable provision in this regard is a split ring 104 that isreleasably clamped about the tube portion 102 by a threaded fastener 106in the well known style of automobile radiator hoseclamps.Alternatively, though not shown, the means 54 can simply be a wire withits ends twisted up tight; this arrangement being especially effectiveand inexpensive if the outer diameter of the free end of the cylindricalportion 100 is bulged slightly.

The tube is of rubber and of a degree of flexibility generallycomparable to the inner tube of an automotive tire. Indeed, an old innertube unsuited for its originally intended function can be readily usedas the tube 50 at essentially little or no cost. The tube 50 ispreferably an elastomeric material relatively resistant to chemicalattack by the concrete.

In use the chute 22 is positioned with its discharge end 70 above theapproximate center of an area in which concrete is to be deposited by avertical extent very approximately the length of the tube 50. On thedischarge of concrete 48 from the chute 22, a man manhandles the tube 50to move the free and lower end 110 of the latter to deposit the concreteat the position desired, such as between the forms 112 and 114 as shownin FIG. 1. The attachment 40 has been useful in pouring sidewalks,driveways, subgrade level house footings and the like; all suchoperations enabling 'a greater pour between necessary readjustments ofthe position of the chute 22,'all with a minimum mess and splatter asthe user can more or less control rate of delivery by choking the tube50. Not nearly. as great care is needed in positioning the chute 22before commencing any pour. The attachment 40 is of great value inpouring house basements and enables a relatively uniform initial depositand most important of all, a greatly reduced frequency of need formovement of the truck itself.

Reference to the appended claims should be made to ascertain the actualscope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A concrete distributing attachment for use with a concrete mixertruck delivery chute of the type having a pair of upstanding ears at itsopposite sides at its discharge end, said attachment comprising a hollowbody having a forwardly facing inlet opening adapted to receive looselytherein a rearwardly facing discharge end of a delivery chute, said bodybeing internally provided with limit means adapted to be engaged by thedischarge end of a delivery chute for limiting the entry of the latterinto the body, said body being provided with suspension means adjacentand above said inlet opening for engaging the ears of a concretedelivery chute for pivotally supporting the body about a horizontal andtransversely extending axis, said body having a discharge openingdisposed rearwardly of the inlet opening, and an elongated flexibledistributing tube secured to the body about the discharge opening, thearrangement being such that the body can be hung upon the ears of thedischarge chute so as to gravitationally.

swing about said axis into a position that the latter extends into thebody through the inlet opening to an extent limited by the limit means,whereupon concrete can be discharged from the chute into the body, withthe discharge of concrete from the body being directable through theflexible tube.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said suspension means comprisesthe body having an opening in the top thereof adapted to accommodateupwardly therethrough the upstanding ears.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the limit means comprises anelongated member disposed within the body and having its opposite endsfixed to the body.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the limit means comprises anelongated member disposed within the body and having its opposite endsfixed to the body.

5. A concrete distributing attachment for use with a concrete mixertruck delivery chute of the type having a pair of upstanding ears at itsopposite sides at its discharge end, said attachment comprising a hollowfunnel-shaped body having an open forward inlet end and an open rearwarddischarge end, said body being provided with an open framework adjacentits inlet end, said open framework being adapted to receive upwardlytherethrough the upstanding ears to pivotally support the body from thechute about a horizontal and transverse axis with the discharge end ofthe latter being relatively swingable into and out of the inlet end ofthe body, and said body having an internal transverse member forlimiting relative'swinging movement of the chute into the body, and anelongated flexible tube fixed to the body about the open discharge endof the body.

6. A concrete mixer truck of the type having, during dischargingoperations, a downwardly inclined concrete delivery chute having a lowerdischarge end, and a pair of upstanding ears on opposite sides of thechute at its discharge end, the combination therewith of a hollow,funnel-like body having a relatively large open and forwardly facinginlet end receiving therein the discharge end of the chute, said bodyhaving an open framework adjacent said inlet opening through which theupstanding ears project so that the body is pivotally supported about ahorizontal and transverse axis on the chute in a manner such that thebody gravitationally swings forwardly to receive the discharge end ofthe chute within the inlet thereof, coacting means carried by the chuteand internally by the body for limiting said gravitational swingingmovement, and an elongated flexible tube detachably secured to the bodyabout said discharge end thereof.

1. A concrete distributing attachment for use with a concrete mixertruck delivery chute of the type having a pair of upstanding ears at itsopposite sides at its discharge end, said attachment comprising a hollowbody having a forwardly facing inlet opening adapted to receive looselytherein a rearwardly facing discharge end of a delivery chute, said bodybeing internally provided with limit means adapted to be engaged by thedischarge end of a delivery chute for limiting the entry of the latterinto the body, said body being provided with suspension means adjacentand above said inlet opening for engaging the ears of a concretedelivery chute for pivotally supporting the body about a horizontal andtransversely extending axis, said body having a discharge openingdisposed rearwardly of the inlet opening, and an elongated flexibledistributing tube secured to the body about the discharge opening, thearrangement being such that the body can be hung upon the ears of thedischarge chute so as to gravitationally swing about said axis into aposition that the latter extends into the body through the inlet openingto an extent limited by the limit means, whereupon concrete can bedischarged from the chute into the body, with the discharge of concretefrom the body being directable through the flexible tube.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein said suspension means comprises the bodyhaving an opening in the top thereof adapted to accommodate upwardlytherethrough the upstanding ears.
 3. The combination of claim 1, whereinthe limit means comprises an elongated member disposed within the bodyand having its opposite ends fixed to the body.
 4. The combination ofclaim 2, wherein the limit means comprises an elongated member disposedwithin the body and having its opposite ends fixed to the body.
 5. Aconcrete distributing attachment for use with a concrete mixer truckdelivery chute of the type having a pair of upstanding ears at itsopposite sides at its discharge end, said attachment comprising a hollowfunnel-shaped body having an open forward inlet end and an open rearwarddischarge end, said body being provided with an open framework adjacentits inlet end, said open framework being adapted to receive upwardlytherethrough the upstanding ears to pivotally support the body from thechute about a horizontal and transverse axis with the discharge end ofthe latter being relatively swingable into and out of the inlet end ofthe body, and said body having an internal transverse member forlimiting relative swinging movement of the chute into the body, and aneLongated flexible tube fixed to the body about the open discharge endof the body.
 6. A concrete mixer truck of the type having, duringdischarging operations, a downwardly inclined concrete delivery chutehaving a lower discharge end, and a pair of upstanding ears on oppositesides of the chute at its discharge end, the combination therewith of ahollow, funnel-like body having a relatively large open and forwardlyfacing inlet end receiving therein the discharge end of the chute, saidbody having an open framework adjacent said inlet opening through whichthe upstanding ears project so that the body is pivotally supportedabout a horizontal and transverse axis on the chute in a manner suchthat the body gravitationally swings forwardly to receive the dischargeend of the chute within the inlet thereof, coacting means carried by thechute and internally by the body for limiting said gravitationalswinging movement, and an elongated flexible tube detachably secured tothe body about said discharge end thereof.